Economics

Red Box, Blue Box, Green Box: Arguing against Institutional Pluralism

By | February 08, 2013

Christopher Green examines the durability, and the deficiencies, of the “post-totalitarian” thesis for the DPRK, and furthers the quest for a developmental understanding of North Korea.

A Most Peculiar Country: China’s Southern Weekly on North Korea

By | February 08, 2013

F. Bleeker translates a Southern Weekly article indicating that Chinese hopes for Kim Jong-un as reformer have given way to perceptions of a tougher neighbor than his late father ever was.

North Korea’s Reform Straitjacket: Impossible Choices for Kim Jong-un & Co.

By | January 31, 2013

The quotidian matters, argues London School of Economics graduate Alexander James. His trifurcated sociological approach suggets that both those in positions of power and ordinary folk haven’t so much “freedom to choose.”

Report: Foreigners Not Allowed to Bring Cell Phones to Sinuiju [Updated]

By | January 22, 2013

North Korea’s liberalization of cell phone use for foreigners is limited to Pyongyang and Mt. Myohyang, says a Chinese media report.

From Doha to Pyongyang: DPRK Progress and Development within the UNFCCC Framework

By | January 13, 2013

Robert Winstanley-Chesters wonders how much money the DPRK can make from carbon credits, and concludes that the answer is “not much.” At least, not yet.